SA fast bowler Nortje ruled out of Champions Trophy

CAPE TOWN: South Africa have been dealt a massive blow ahead of the Champions Trophy after Anrich Nortje was ruled out with a back injury. Nortje has not played any international cricket since the T20 World Cup last June and was due to make a return for the white-ball series against Pakistan but broke his toe in the nets.

He has since not played at all for his SA20 franchise, Pretoria Capitals, and has also been ruled out of South Africa’s marquee T20 tournament. South Africa will name a replacement for the Champions Trophy squad imminently.

Gerald Coetzee, who has returned to action for the Joburg Super Kings after sustaining a groin injury in the Durban Test against Sri Lanka last November is the likeliest replacement.

South Africa’s white-ball coach Rob Walter, who is also the sole selector of his squads, explained his initial selection was a straight shootout between Nortje and Coetzee, and he opted for Nortje’s experience over Coetzee.

He also indicated he was confident in Nortje being declared fit. “He’s an ultimate professional. He looks after himself, takes care of his conditioning. From my side, I trust him and trust that he’ll be ready to go,” Walter said on Monday.

Just over 48 hours later, a Cricket South Africa press release said Nortje had undergone scans on Monday afternoon and “is not expected to recover in time for the 50-over tournament.”